Lakers up to the challenge from Lancaster

Hang like Haysom: Nagambie's Anthony Haysom attempted a spectacular mark before falling flat on his back.

Nagambie survived a third-quarter comeback to get over the line against Lancaster.

The Wombats started the game strongly and took the game to the Lakers in the opening quarter.

With Nagambie ruckman Alex Tattersall out of action with a dislocated thumb, the Lakers’ coach Linc Sullivan was forced to improvise throwing Mark Nolan and Harley Taylor-Lloyd into the ruck.

With the scores tied at 21 points apiece at the end of the first quarter the Lakers needed to raise their intensity if they were going to get out in front.

Kyle Winter-Irving was a consistent target up front, kicking five goals for the Lakers, while Anthony and Daniel Haysom both impressed.

Daniel stood up to kick three goals when the Lakers needed it, while Anthony kicked four and was best on ground.

Mick Shiels took a knock to the head just before half-time to add to the Lakers’ injury woes.

Ahead by 25 points at the long break, Shiels didn’t return to the field which put a strain on Nagambie’s options in rotation.

Lancaster wasn’t ready to lie down against the surging Lakers.

‘‘I thought they played a really good third quarter, their younger players really kept their heads up and ran the footy well,’’ Sullivan said.

‘‘They took it out of our forward line fairly quickly and when it’s like that it’s hard to defend.’’

The Wombats piled on six goals to Nagambie’s two to bring the game back into contention.

‘‘They were up for a good game of contested footy and they played well,’’ Sullivan said.

‘‘Once we sort of got that under control we got the game back on our terms a bit.

‘‘Take nothing away from the them but being a younger side they were probably a bit in and out of the game a bit, whereas we were probably more consistent throughout the day and consistent enough to get over the line.’’

After some changes in defence the game was most certainly back in Nagambie’s control.

Three goals in the final term sealed the deal for the Lakers as they ran out 13-point winners.

Tyrone Muir will likely miss the majority of the season after he broke his arm in the last quarter.

Tatterstall is expected to be out for about three more weeks while Shiels is expected to return.